Hybrid Nano-Additive Systems for Improved Fire Resistance in NBR-Based Elastomers

Hybrid Nano-Additive Systems for Improved Fire Resistance in NBR-Based Elastomers | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Hybrid Nano-Additive Systems for Improved Fire Resistance in NBR-Based Elastomers Miroslawa Prochon, Oleksandra Dziekala, Szymon Szczepaniak, Łukasz Stefaniak, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8018186/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Elastomers such as acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) are widely used in high-performance applications, yet their intrinsic flammability poses serious safety challenges. This study introduces hybrid nano-additive systems designed to enhance the fire resistance of NBR-based elastomers through the synergistic action of organic, inorganic, and biopolymeric components. The developed formulations incorporate melamine (M), melamine polyphosphate (PM), casein (K), and keratin recovered from industrial waste (P), combined via conventional and hybrid compounding methods. Vulcanization was carried out at 160°C, with optimal curing determined rheometrically. The composites were extensively characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), microcalorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, and mechanical testing (tensile strength, hardness, aging resistance). The results revealed that hybrid systems, particularly melamine polyphosphate or casein combined with keratin (PPM or PK), reduced heat release rate and combustion efficiency by more than 20% compared to single-component systems. The addition of nanoscale fillers further delayed thermal degradation and improved char stability. This work demonstrates a synergistic flame-retardant mechanism in NBR elastomers, integrating thermal shielding, char formation, and endothermic decomposition pathways. Moreover, the use of biodegradable waste-derived additives enhances the sustainability profile of the materials. The developed hybrid nano-additive systems offer a promising pathway toward eco-efficient, flame-retardant elastomers for applications in sectors with elevated fire hazard, such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics. NBR elastomers Flame retardancy Hybrid additives Keratin Casein Melamine polyphosphate Thermogravimetric analysis Microcalorimetry Circular economy Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8018186","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":582019012,"identity":"4a075cd0-de02-411a-bb47-8c2f9d5b57cb","order_by":0,"name":"Miroslawa Prochon","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABEElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZhBRAOceYGBgb2BgeAAWZ27ArcUAWQsPECeAxRmxa2HA0CKRgF+Lbjvvw4c/DOwS+xt4j334UHNHzlzy7QGGhAprewbpRqxazA6zGxvzGCQnzjjAlzxzxrFnxpaz8xIYEs6kMzPIHMShhY1NmsGAObfhAI8xM2/D4cQNt3MMGBLbDrMxSCTi1CL5w6A+dz5cy80zYC08+LRI8Bgczt0A13KDB6xFAo8WZqBfjtdvPMyXzDjj2GFjgzN5CQeAfjFgw+WX88cYH/6oqDaWO957mOFDzWE5g+NnDz74AAwxfunmA9i0IAAzD4zFwwBWyiaBXwNYJRqDsJZRMApGwSgYGQAA931fgnlgl9sAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Lodz University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Miroslawa","middleName":"","lastName":"Prochon","suffix":""},{"id":582019015,"identity":"9448361e-6cdc-4feb-af85-5eb610eb6f69","order_by":1,"name":"Oleksandra Dziekala","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Lodz University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Oleksandra","middleName":"","lastName":"Dziekala","suffix":""},{"id":582019016,"identity":"496833b5-38b1-4a09-8145-ec7be4d447f5","order_by":2,"name":"Szymon Szczepaniak","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Lodz University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Szymon","middleName":"","lastName":"Szczepaniak","suffix":""},{"id":582019017,"identity":"d80b5ee3-0ab7-4c52-b584-255a8355dc6d","order_by":3,"name":"Łukasz Stefaniak","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Lodz University of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Łukasz","middleName":"","lastName":"Stefaniak","suffix":""},{"id":582019018,"identity":"bed4a634-0b5e-4d02-8c72-294cf5e83fce","order_by":4,"name":"Przemyslaw Rybinski","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Przemyslaw","middleName":"","lastName":"Rybinski","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-11-03 10:53:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8018186/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8018186/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105647679,"identity":"dc948b18-513f-48ab-9dc8-104171380590","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-28 21:39:05","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2163675,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Article3.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8018186/v1_covered_69aed4df-977d-4307-bef2-7c7194a32e6f.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Hybrid Nano-Additive Systems for Improved Fire Resistance in NBR-Based Elastomers","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"NBR elastomers, Flame retardancy, Hybrid additives, Keratin, Casein, Melamine polyphosphate, Thermogravimetric analysis, Microcalorimetry, Circular economy","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8018186/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8018186/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eElastomers such as acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) are widely used in high-performance applications, yet their intrinsic flammability poses serious safety challenges. This study introduces hybrid nano-additive systems designed to enhance the fire resistance of NBR-based elastomers through the synergistic action of organic, inorganic, and biopolymeric components. The developed formulations incorporate melamine (M), melamine polyphosphate (PM), casein (K), and keratin recovered from industrial waste (P), combined via conventional and hybrid compounding methods. Vulcanization was carried out at 160°C, with optimal curing determined rheometrically. The composites were extensively characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), microcalorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, and mechanical testing (tensile strength, hardness, aging resistance). The results revealed that hybrid systems, particularly melamine polyphosphate or casein combined with keratin (PPM or PK), reduced heat release rate and combustion efficiency by more than 20% compared to single-component systems. The addition of nanoscale fillers further delayed thermal degradation and improved char stability. This work demonstrates a synergistic flame-retardant mechanism in NBR elastomers, integrating thermal shielding, char formation, and endothermic decomposition pathways. Moreover, the use of biodegradable waste-derived additives enhances the sustainability profile of the materials. The developed hybrid nano-additive systems offer a promising pathway toward eco-efficient, flame-retardant elastomers for applications in sectors with elevated fire hazard, such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Hybrid Nano-Additive Systems for Improved Fire Resistance in NBR-Based Elastomers","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-30 09:44:58","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8018186/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"b964c3b3-8f5b-403b-ae05-dd127cbef534","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 30th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-28T21:38:41+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-30 09:44:58","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8018186","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8018186","identity":"rs-8018186","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}